INFLUENCE OF TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT ON JOB PERFORMANCE OF BRANCH-IN-CHARGES: A CASE STUDY OF A LEASING COMPANY IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Competition in the finance and leasing industry of Sri Lanka has increased to a great extent during the recent past, due to strict regulatory directions and other macro factors. In order to achieve their business objectives, Companies in this sector implement different strategies to improve job performance of the workforce. Training and development is a key result area (KRA) in human resource management (HRM), which is aimed at improving job performance of individuals, teams, and Organizations as a whole. This research is conducted with the objective of examining the influence of training and development practices on the job performance of the Branch-inCharges in a leading leasing Company in Sri Lanka. Effective performance of Branch-in-Charge is a vital factor in achieving the overall performance the Branch, whilst performance of each Branch has a direct impact on the overall performance of the Organization. This research has been conducted using the Survey method. A sample of 45 Branch-in- Charges were selected for this study using random stratified sampling approach. Primary data has been collected through the structured questionnaire and secondary data has been gathered through Management Information System (MIS) reports and human resource records of the Company. Statistical Package of Social Science was used for data analysis. Data analysis involved percentages and bivariate analyzing in the form of cross-tabulation. The findings were presented in the form of tables and figures. This research identified training needs analysis, the motivation of trainees, method of training and evaluation of training as factors of training and development that have a significant correlation with the job performance of the Branchin-Charges. Training and development practices of the Company have a strong positive impact on the job performance of Branch-in-Charges as evident from the sample of 45 personnel used for this research. In conclusion, this study identified that the job performance of Branch-inCharges can be improved further, through systematic and well-planned training and development process within a Company.